Which drug opens the meshwork to improve drainage of aqueous humor in glaucoma?

Prepare for the Galen Medical Surgical Exam 2. Utilize engaging quizzes with hints and explanations designed to enhance your learning experience and improve your exam readiness!

Multiple Choice

Which drug opens the meshwork to improve drainage of aqueous humor in glaucoma?

Explanation:
Opening the drainage pathway in glaucoma relies on stimulating the ciliary muscle to widen the trabecular meshwork so aqueous humor can flow more freely into Schlemm’s canal. Pilocarpine accomplishes this by directly activating muscarinic receptors on the ciliary muscle. This contraction pulls on structures around the angle and opens the trabecular meshwork, increasing outflow and lowering intraocular pressure. The other options mainly reduce production of aqueous humor or create osmotic shifts that lower pressure, rather than enhancing outflow through the meshwork. So the drug that opens the meshwork to improve drainage is pilocarpine.

Opening the drainage pathway in glaucoma relies on stimulating the ciliary muscle to widen the trabecular meshwork so aqueous humor can flow more freely into Schlemm’s canal. Pilocarpine accomplishes this by directly activating muscarinic receptors on the ciliary muscle. This contraction pulls on structures around the angle and opens the trabecular meshwork, increasing outflow and lowering intraocular pressure. The other options mainly reduce production of aqueous humor or create osmotic shifts that lower pressure, rather than enhancing outflow through the meshwork. So the drug that opens the meshwork to improve drainage is pilocarpine.

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